Martinez Called In to Honduras National Team

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC announced today that midfielder Mario Martinez has been called in by the Honduras National Team for 2013 Copa Centroamericana matches and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against the United States.

Martinez, 23, has 22 caps for Honduras, including appearances in four recent World Cup Qualifiers and the 2012 London Olympics. He made 10 appearances across all competitions for Sounders FC since joining the club in August, and scored the game-winning goal in Seattle’s first round playoff series to help the team advance to its first Western Conference Championship.

Martinez will join Honduras for the Copa Centroamericana, which serves as the qualifying process for Central America for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Honduras can play up to four matches in the tournament, beginning with El Salvador on January 18 and Panama on January 22. Depending on the results from the first two matches, Honduras could play additional matches. The matches will be played in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Martinez will stay with Honduras for the team’s World Cup Qualifier against the United States on February 6 at Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.